Now that Sumter County has reduced the number of animals killed in its shelter and a cat trap-neuter-and-release program is up and running, County Administrator Bradley Arnold is taking a tougher attitude toward animal activists who continue to criticize the shelter at county board meetings.
Arnold called on commissioners to enforce ordinances during the public forum portion of the meeting that restrict people from making false statements and alleging criminal activity.
“There may be policy differences with no-kill supporters,” he said. “But we support the goal of a 90 percent release rate.”
No-kill shelters save 90 percent or more of the animals received. For about six months, animal activists have demanded that Sumter County convert its shelter to no-kill.
While refusing their demand, the county has made progress since the activists began coming to meetings. Last month, the shelter euthanized 26 of 162 animals received, or about 16 percent, including three dogs and 23 cats. It was the third consecutive month the shelter had reduced kill rates, down from about 40 percent of animals received earlier last year.
The number of cats killed is expected to decline further due to the trap-neuter-and-release program, based on a similar program in Jacksonville, which began early this month. Stray cats will be picked up, neutered, given rabies shots and released back into their neighborhoods.
Arnold also highlighted the work of the Cares Center of Bushnell, a program of the Animal Services League that has spayed or neutered nearly 20,000 dogs and cats over the past decade
The activists continue to criticize the transparency of the Sumter County shelter, which permits tours for a brief period once a week and does not allow volunteers.
When two activists spoke at Tuesday’s meeting, Arnold interrupted and challenged them. He said one speaker’s comments about the Humane Society/SPCA of Sumter County were not relevant because it is not operated by the county.
Sumter County partners with the Humane Society for adoptions of shelter animals.
“How can we work with a group that we can’t even talk to?” asked Angie Fox of Lost Pets of The Villages. “You’re going to shut us down on anything we have to say.”
“We’re turning a new page,” said board chairman Al Butler.